Let’s Agree To Disagree

Why do women (mainly mom’s) think that it’s okay to judge each other based on how they parent their children.

Just because I parent my child differently than you, doesn’t mean that I am unfit or don’t know what I’m doing. Motherhood didn’t come with an instructional manual and we’re all figuring it out the same way. By trial and error.

Nobody parents the same way. We might have similarities in what we do, but it’s never the exact same. Some mom’s decide to breastfeed, others decide to bottle feed. Some use the cry it out method, others prefer co-sleeping. Some use spankings as a form of discipline and others use positive reinforcement.

What works for me…may not work for you. And let me let you in on a little secret…

That’s okay!

Just because you don’t see eye to eye with someone, doesn’t mean that they are horrible parents. When it comes to life and to motherhood, there is no right or wrong way. Every child is different, which means that a different method of parenting is going to be required for each child. Even siblings will need different parenting techniques. Because again, what works for one, may not work for the other.

It’s one thing to be asked advice, than completely attack someone who didn’t ask for your opinion.

We, as women, naturally compare ourselves to others and judge others based on all sorts of stupid things. Motherhood can be hard enough, why make it harder by belittling others with your self righteousness. I breastfed my son till he was 6 months. I had gone back to work and my milk just started to dry up so he had to go to the bottle. I know other women who just didn’t produce enough milk and had to bottle feed.

We, as mothers, need to learn to respect and support each other instead of attacking one another. We are all in this crazy adventure together and need all the love and support we can get. Next time you see a mother parenting her child in a way that is different from you, applaud her for doing her best. You don’t know what she’s going through and maybe she has tried everything else. You don’t know. So keep your snarky comments and opinions to yourself…unless you have been asked for them. But then, be nice about it.

Don’t be a mean girl mom.

What’s the worst thing someone has ever said to you on your parenting style? How did you handle the situation?